During the colder months each year, volunteers in Cape Cod search the beaches to assist turtles that have washed up on shore. 2014 has been a rough one for the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, as the number that has been found out of the water is exceptionally high when compared to previous years.
During the colder months each year, volunteers in Cape Cod search the beaches to assist turtles that have washed up on shore.
2014 has been a rough one for the young turtles, most of them the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, as the number found is exceptionally high when compared to previous years. Since the middle of November, approximately 12 hundred 2 to 3 year old turtles have been discovered.
Initially, none of the turtles had washed up on Sandy Neck Beach, located in Barnstable, Massachusetts but on a recent Sunday, 20 of the turtles appeared on the sands.
By the next morning, more than 25 additional Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were recovered. Everyday, more and more turtles are being found by volunteers on beaches all over the Cape.
Hundreds of them have died thus far. On one hand, the vast number of turtles is a positive sign, as it implies that conservation efforts have been successful.
On the other, however, it begs the question of what percentage of the population count has washed ashore. Although the turtles have and are continuously being rescued, there are problems.
Veterinarians don’t have the resources to care for the many turtles and aquariums across the country do not have the space or capabilities to take them in.
As for why so many of them have appeared, that remains somewhat of a mystery. One expert from Oregon State University said that weather conditions, turtle behavior and ocean currents could all be contributing factors.
